If you’ve ever had to say goodbye to someone, you treasure the last words spoken. You remember what was said. You hold on to those final words. For Lent in 2021, we are focusing on the last words of Jesus from the cross. What did he say? What does it mean for us? How do those words change us? This week, we focus on the word “forsaken”. Jesus said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
Invocation
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen!
Invitation Prayer
O God, everyone is from somewhere. But I’m in the middle of nowhere. I am a nobody. But you call my name, and I am somebody. Lord, do not forsake me. If no one else knows my name, I simply ask, call mine. Know me. Then I’m somebody. Amen.
Confession
Lord, I am a hollow tree. There is an empty space inside me. Gone is the passion and the energy. All that remains is an echo of what once was. Have you left me? Am I alone? I am a corpse without you. Lord, I am a hollow tree. Only you can fill the empty.
Word: Isaiah 55:7
“. . . let the wicked forsake his way . . . let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him.”
Meditation
Lent is a season of repentance. Repentance requires serious action. To “return to the Lord” requires a “turn of heart.” It is a call to forsake sinful, harmful, wicked ways. As an alcoholic must radically turn to sobriety, so the addictive nature of sin requires the severity of forsaking. Strip away all the impure desires you’ve held on to. Kick out all the sinful crutches that you have leaned on.
Know that even with all your sin, the Lord longs to have compassion. Christ has died for every wrong. Respond to this question: Am I willing to forsake everything that contradicts the Lord’s intention for me?
God of the prodigals, I return to you. Fold me in the arms of your compassion. Amen.
Sending
From Hebrews 13:5-6: “He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Come, O Lord, Amen.
*Today’s devotion is taken from It Is Finished by Jeff Cloeter, published by CTA – Christ to All at ctainc.com